Which Bubble/Mid-Major would you not want to play opening weekend?

[StormHawk42]

We have a week off so let's discuss something to pass the time. Ok let's just say that Iowa ends up somewhere in the 2-4 seed range. Would get matched up with a mid-major in the first round and then let's say we'd play either a 10, 11, or 12 who just pulled an upset (i.e. a bubble team).

Who out there would would match up well with the Hawks, is hot, etc?

For the mid-majors, teams like Chattanooga and Stony Brook have been pretty tough. Monmouth has already beat some big schools in the noncon.

For bubble teams, a team that is a physical and grind-it-out team like Cincy would be tough since the Hawks like to get out and go and aren't the most physical. FWIW, the team's in the First Four have done well historically (VCU, Tennessee, UCLA) so I would hope to avoid those types of teams. The nerves of the first game are gone for them which seems to be an advantage.

I'm just going on Lunardi's bracketology. What do you think?

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

Out of the 10-12 seeds I would say Cincinnati and Butler. If that bracket held, USC would be a tough matchup for us but I think we'd win because it would be like playing a home game.

 

[thewop]

Is Villanova a mid-major?

Dayton, anyone from the Pac-12, Hawaii, Iowa State

 

[StormHawk42]

I consider mid-major the one bid conference champions. 13-16 seeds if you will.

 

[TKingpin]

I don't want to see Gonzaga again. They haven't been setting the world on fire, but idk if we match up well with them between Wiltjer and Sabonis... just my 2 cents.

Wichita State has a superstar point guard... we always have trouble with those kinds of teams.

 

[StormHawk42]

Yeah Wiltjer and Sabonis haven't been able to carry the load without a PG, but I don't really care to have any deja vu either.

 

[relishingwinning18]

I don't want to see Gonzaga again. They haven't been setting the world on fire, but idk if we match up well with them between Wiltjer and Sabonis... just my 2 cents.

Wichita State has a superstar point guard... we always have trouble with those kinds of teams.

Would the committee set us up with rematches against ISU, WSU, or the like? I don't think they would early on in the tourney. Assuming Iowa is a 2 or 3 seed, I wouldn't want to see Cal.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

It is so wide open this year I cannot really even comment. The main objective is to secure the 1st 2 games in Des Moines, that is going to make much more of a difference over the opponent I think with how wide open it is this year.

 

[Hawkize31]

I'd want no part of UNI this year. I don't think they're great, but they have been deadly against some really good teams.

 

[StormHawk42]

It is so wide open this year I cannot really even comment. The main objective is to secure the 1st 2 games in Des Moines, that is going to make much more of a difference over the opponent I think with how wide open it is this year.

I agree that the goal is definitely to get to Des Moines. Having said that, Iowa really hasn't played that well in Wells Fargo either. But that's a topic for later discussion.

 

[StormHawk42]

I'd want no part of UNI this year. I don't think they're great, but they have been deadly against some really good teams.

Can you imagine a 3 seed Iowa against a 14 seed UNI in Wells Fargo? That would be ridiculous.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

I agree that the goal is definitely to get to Des Moines. Having said that, Iowa really hasn't played that well in Wells Fargo either. But that's a topic for later discussion.

Yes that crossed my mind as I typed but home crowd and familiarity of our team and heck most of our roster who all played their in HS in state numerous times.

 

[relishingwinning18]

Can you imagine a 3 seed Iowa against a 14 seed UNI in Wells Fargo? That would be ridiculous.

UNI is going to have to win their conference tourney at this point, and if they do, they'll probably jump to a 12 seed or so.

 

[Clifford C. Clavin]

UNI is going to have to win their conference tourney at this point, and if they do, they'll probably jump to a 12 seed or so.

There is no way UNI would get a 12 seed if they won their tournament; that would indicate they could have made it as an at large, which isn't remotely possible when every metric has them outside the top 100. If by some change they won the MVC tournament, they would be a very low seed this year.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

There is no way UNI would get a 12 seed if they won their tournament; that would indicate they could have made it as an at large, which isn't remotely possible when every metric has them outside the top 100. If by some change they won the MVC tournament, they would be a very low seed this year.

Yup if UNI won it, they would be a 13 or 14 seed I am guessing.

I would probably say anyone in the A-10 no thanks. I think that league is tough and there are some quality teams in there. Yes I realize we took Davidson to the Woodshed last year, but that was about as perfect match up as we could of gotten. They were not very athletic and big, so we were able to pound the ball down low and use our height. Some of the other A-10 teams are very small and quick.

 

[Suterman]

If we are worried about the Atlantic 10 then we need to hang up our sneakers.

 

[GoHawks2009]

I'd want no part of UNI this year. I don't think they're great, but they have been deadly against some really good teams.

Granted they even make the tournament....

 

[StormHawk42]

If we are worried about the Atlantic 10 then we need to hang up our sneakers.

I think he's saying that the A10 generally have small quick athletic teams that resemble some of the teams that have given us fits over the years. Can't say I disagree as Dayton already beat us this year.